One of the old greats, nearly made it to 100 -- he was great in "On The Waterfront"
OBIT-MALDEN

US ACTOR KARL MALDEN DIES AT 97

Los Angeles, July 1 Reuters - Oscar-winning actor Karl Malden, best known for roles in films like ``A Streetcar Named Desire'' and ``On the Waterfront'' and the TV series ``The Streets of San Francisco,'' died on Wednesday at age 97, his agent said.

Malden, also remembered as the commercial spokesman in a trench coat for American Express travelers checks, died in his sleep at about 2:30 a.m. (0930 GMT) in his Los Angeles area home, the agent, Budd Moss, said.

Malden had been in failing health in recent years.

Goldberg74

07-01-09, 04:06 PM

I'll always remember him because of his big bulbous nose.

:rip:

Merkin Muffley

07-01-09, 04:19 PM

He was still alive?

superdeluxe

07-01-09, 04:22 PM

wow. I remember watching re-runs of streets of san fran. rip

Mopower

07-01-09, 04:33 PM

I was going to say I loved him as Welhelm on Seinfeld until I found out that Welhelm is played by Richard Herd. No wonder. Malden and him are practically twins.

"You want to know what's wrong with our waterfront? It's the love of a lousy buck. It's making love of a buck - -the cushy job - -more important than the love of man!"

Supermallet

07-01-09, 05:34 PM

Man, for a while it seemed like Karl Malden was in everything. A damn fine actor. RIP.

islandclaws

07-01-09, 05:58 PM

He was always the worst guy to invite if you were doing cocaine.

Still, a great actor.

:rip:

GoldenJCJ

07-01-09, 06:25 PM

That's a shame, I liked him in the few things of his I've actually seen.

Rockmjd23

07-01-09, 06:34 PM

What's that like 10 celebs in the last 2 weeks now?

wm lopez

07-01-09, 06:44 PM

What's that like 10 celebs in the last 2 weeks now?
Kinda throws that stupid DIES IN 3'S:bmonkey: out of whack.

Snowmaker

07-01-09, 06:48 PM

Kinda throws that stupid DIES IN 3'S:bmonkey: out of whack.

Last week was McMahon, Fawcett and Jackson

This week is Billy Mays, Malden and ???

Matthew Chmiel

07-01-09, 06:53 PM

Carradine was first. Everyone forgot about Carradine. :(

Carradine, McMahon, and Fawcett.

Jackson, Mays and Malden.

I'd argue that Malden doesn't count as I thought he's been dead for years. :shrug:

Joking aside, he was a great actor. RIP.

Mr.Briggs

07-01-09, 07:16 PM

Loved him as Omar Bradley & in the Streets of San Francisco. Couldn't believe he'd been married close to 71 years. His was considered the longest Hollywood marriage of all time when he passed the record of 69 years that Bob & Delores Hope were married last December 18th. Wow. RIP to a great actor.

I thought he was terrific in Brando's western: One Eyed Jacks
Steve McQueen's western: Nevada Smith

As The Shooter in The Cincinnati Kid, Best Supporting Actor Oscar for A Streetcar Named Desire, as General Bradley in Patton, as Inspector LaRue in Hitchcock's I Confess. As the Pioneer father in How The West Was Won and of course the corruption fighting priest in On The Waterfront. These are only a handful of stand out performances that spring to mind in a lengthy career, from a very gifted actor.

:rip:

B5Erik

07-02-09, 10:53 PM

The great thing about Karl Malden is that he knew he was a character actor, and he made the most of it. He had lead actor chops, but character actor looks, so he always looked for the really meaty supporting or secondary roles. He found them. Many times over - and he made the most of them.

I've got the Blu Ray of Patton but haven't gotten around to watching it yet. I think I'll have to pop it in the player on Sunday.

R.I.P. Karl - you were great!

mwbmis

07-03-09, 01:10 AM

He was always my "ringer" for old Hollywood actors still alive. It's had been awhile since he had been in anything so most people had assumed he had passed on. I still have Olivia de Havilland I suppose.

Falc04

07-04-09, 06:35 AM

A very unique and distinctive acting style. Hard to believe it's been almost 50 years since his fantastic portrayal of a lawman with a secret past in "One Eyed Jacks". As others have mentioned, he was good in so many roles throughout his career, but that performance really stood out.